Assessment of terahertz spectroscopy to detect antibiotic residues in food and feed matrices

作者：Redo Sanchez Albert^*; Salvatella Gerard; Galceran Regina; Roldos Eva; Garcia Reguero Jose Antonio; Castellari Massimo; Tejada Javier

来源：Analyst, 2011, 136(8): 1733-1738.

DOI：10.1039/c0an01016b

We report the use of terahertz (THz) spectroscopy to explore the spectral properties of eleven antibiotics commonly used in livestock production. Eight of the eleven antibiotics showed specific fingerprints in the frequency range between 0.1 and 2 THz. The main spectral features of two antibiotics (doxycycline and sulfapyridine) were still detectable when they were mixed with three food matrices (feed, milk, and egg powder). These preliminary results indicate that THz spectroscopy could be suitable for screening applications to detect the presence of antibiotic residues in the food industry, with the prospect to allow inspections directly on the production lines. THz spectroscopy is a nondestructive, non-contact, and real-time technique that requires very little sample preparation. Moreover, THz radiation can penetrate plastic and paper, which enables the detection of antibiotics in packaged food.

• 出版日期2011